The UK MoD has confirmed a Lockheed Martin F-35 will make its first overseas airshow visit this year when one visits the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) from 11-13 July and the Farnborough Airshow from 14-20 July.
Approval for the airshow displays was given after high level talks between UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
“The US and the UK have worked closely together on the F-35 project from the beginning,” Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement. “We are the only country that is a first tier partner in the project, which is sustaining tens of thousands of jobs in the UK. This fifth generation stealth combat aircraft will be a major boost to British combat air power and it is entirely fitting that the F-35’s first stop outside the United States will be in the UK.”
The statement did not say what model of F-35 would appear, although it is likely it will be an F-35B STOVL variant as this is the model the UK is buying.
Lockheed Martin said in a brief statement: “We are excited by this announcement and look forward to a very successful international debut for the F-35 at the RIAT and Farnborough air shows!”
